Sunday, August 5, 2012

Changes in Attitude

When my children were young, sometimes they would grumble if I told them to do something they really did not want to do.   Often, I would tell them that they had no choice in the doing, but they could choose if they would do it with a bad attitude or a good attitude.  They probably did not like that much, but I do believe it.   I will be interested in seeing if they say something similar to their own children.  When you think about it, our attitudes are incredibly important in molding the way we look at life and at ourselves.

I have been churched this weekend.  It was a mighty "churching."  Saturday, I attended a brunch for the women's fellowship.  I enjoy women's fellowship events, but I tend to gravitate toward people that I already know.  Basically, I am extremely shy.  It is so uncomfortable for me to talk to people I do not know.  Of the six women seated at my table, I did not know two of them.  One of them is very quiet, or at least she was yesterday, but when she spoke, her words were thoughtful and wise.  She made the connection that she works with my daughter, and she is the photographer who took both my grandsons' newborn pictures.  Certainly, I knew her by reputation, and have her handiwork framed in two rooms in my house.  It was lovely to put a face to the name.

The other woman at my table, I had heard of, but did not really know.  At her own admission, in the past she made some bad choices, and got her life off track.  That is actually how I heard of her the first time.  Several years ago, her cousin asked for prayers on her behalf.   Someone else at our table, when the admission of bad choices was stated, said, "look at all the good choices you are making now."  Sometimes, that is just not the response from people.  Some people tend to hold others down by reminding them of their mistakes.  I am so grateful to go to a church where the majority of people just do not do that.  Heaven knows, we all need a little mercy all the time. 

I was struck as this young woman spoke a bit of her mistakes.  She was so careful to never blame anyone, not even herself.  Yes, she took responsibility for her choices, but she is not walking around with a load of guilt blaming herself.  Guilt is the most versatile tool in Satan's toolbox.  Yes, we all need to admit when we are wrong, and we need to repent, but then be done with it.  I might add that repenting does not mean saying we are sorry, and then continuing the behavior.  That is just smoke and balderdash, and eventually comes to mean absolutely nothing to those to whom we apologize.  It becomes evident with one hollow apology after the other that there is no truth there.

I appreciated the attitudes of love and kindness and compassion and gratitude expressed at that table.  Not one person at that table lacked life experiences about which they could have complained and groused.  Not one.  But, each and every one knew the better choice was to face life with the best attitude possible. 

Today was an amazing day.  That "cute" Jason about whom I blogged last week, led our worship.  It was outstanding.  Of course, I really love Jason and his wife, and so I will always have a good attitude about his leadership.  We have been in a series at church called, "Can I Get a Witness."  It has been one good lesson after the other.  Today was better than good.  Again, the woman who gave her witness is a friend for whom I have great love and respect.  She has had a lot of pain and sorrow, but she chooses an attitude of joy.  She does not blame anyone for her trials.  She realizes that some of what she has had to bear has been the result of another's choices, but she stresses there must be no blame directed at the other person.  She wants no sides taken, no negative comments made.  She also claims no credit for her ability to get through the fire and rise up refined.  She knows that it is God in her.  This woman has the most beautiful countenance.  She has chosen an attitude of gratitude and peace, even as she still suffers. 

Following our service, we were blessed with the witnessing of two baptisms.  I thought how that might seem like such a ridiculous ritual to some.  What possible purpose can be served by dunking people under water?  What is it that brings tears to our eyes and happiness in our hearts?  I think for me, it is just that wonder of looking around that room, and seeing so many people for whom that act of baptism is so important.  I truly think we have gotten beyond the point in thinking that if you have not been dunked then you have not been saved.  It is not about the dunking.  It is about the attitude of accepting a beautiful gift, of telling the world, "I want to give my allegiance to Jesus. I want to be part of this thing called Church."

So, I have been churched this weekend.  For some, that sounds like a terrible nightmare.  For me, it is a lovely respite in the week.  Yes, there is junk there.  Yes, there are flaws.  Yes, there are the misguided.  Yes, there are the stubborn.  Yes, there are the gossips.  Yes, there is unforgiveness in the hearts of some.  Yes, there are those who are bitter.  Yes, there are those who hang on to the bad, and find it hard to see the good.  But, I want to be there.  It is my best chance to see the love and kindness and acceptance and joy and genuine concern the Father has for us all, and, yes, I do mean all mankind.  It is the place I can go for an attitude adjustment.   

So, for today, I wish you a change in attitude if you need it.  I wish you an abundant life of joy and peace.  I wish you Church, or church, however you want to think of it.  And, I wish you

blessings

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